Defense specialization and reaction.
641 Name: Nameless Shieldbearer
Hello.
642 Name: Nameless Spearman
No need to say it. You know what I mean.
643 Name: Nameless Archer
It’s increasing, isn’t it?
Shields around Maple-chan.
Or rather, her hands themselves—
644 Name: Nameless Magus
Still raising defense…?
645 Name: Nameless Shieldbearer
I came to share my thoughts after sparring with Maple-chan… Have you all already noticed the change?
Well then, I’ll speak.
646 Name: Nameless Greatsword Fighter
Just keep it within bounds that don’t hinder Maple-chan.
647 Name: Nameless Shieldbearer
Understood.
First, as you’ve seen—her hands have increased.
It seems the shield’s stats and skills are reflected in that.
She’s become even more impenetrable, but on paper, the difference is negligible now.
More importantly, the sheer number of obstacles between her and anything else—this is unbearable.
Seems movable, then.
Three large shields—attacks can't land on them...
648 Name: Anonymous Archer
For an archer, this is a death sentence.
Still, can the large shield actually be controlled?
It’s driving me mad.
649 Name: Anonymous Large Shield User
Maple-chan isn’t yet skilled with the shield, so her defensive capability isn’t high—yet.
But “yet” is the key.
650 Name: Anonymous Spear User
It’s laughable that top-tier shield users can’t handle large shields.
It’s like still wearing shackles.
Something inside me screams: you don’t need to learn shield handling.
651 Name: Anonymous Large Shield User
Next.
Maple-chan suddenly sits upon the throne.
A beautiful white marble throne.
Cute, isn’t it?
652 Name: Anonymous Mage
She’s finally become queen, in name and in fact.
653 Name: Anonymous Archer
There are people who follow after the throne, it seems.
654 Name: Anonymous Shieldbearer
While seated upon the throne, a white field spreads outward.
The throne holds some kind of sealing effect.
My skills have been sealed as well.
Probably seals the more dangerous ones...
Could it affect Maple herself?
Uncertain.
There is also automatic healing.
655 Name: Anonymous Greatsword User
The one who came last is too heavy to be just an afterthought.
Sit beside a companion, and victory is near.
656 Name: Anonymous Mage
Sealing dangerous skills—Maple probably has them all.
657 Name: Anonymous Spear User
Besides the entourage, Maple herself is sealed.
The core is the most dangerous, after all.
658 Name: Anonymous Archer
So being seated means kindness, then.
When the king stands… one can infer.
659 Name: Anonymous Greatsword Wielder
Though one might say it's because the origin was a great shield…
The protective ability as a great shield is lacking.
The more allies surround her, the stronger she becomes.
If all guild members were around her, the throne room would be complete.
660 Name: Anonymous Spear Wielder
The guards are already too strong.
Inside Maple’s protection… that’s impossible.
Only stealth assassination remains.
Maple is a king.
Kings are often assassinated. That should apply to Maple too.
661 Name: Anonymous Greatshield Wielder
It’s hard to say.
Resistance types are unclear except for poison. Can anyone fell her before her defenses solidify completely?
662 Name: Anonymous Greatsword Wielder
Hope for a raid boss or something.
Impossible for ordinary people.
Impossible even for experts.
Masters sense danger. They won’t approach.
Then there’s nothing left but to call forth a boss that’ll charge in even if it’s dangerous!
663 Name: Anonymous Mage
If the boss were to strike Maple-chan down head-on, then who would defeat it, really?
664 Name: Anonymous Great Shield User
This is how Maple-chan’s change has gone.
I’m heading to teach Maple-chan how to use a great shield.
See you later!
665 Name: Anonymous Greatsword Wielder
They’ve come to attack her directly!
666 Name: Anonymous Spear User
She’s beyond reach now, isn’t she?
667 Name: Anonymous Greatsword Wielder
Yes… yes indeed.
The discussion that followed—what kind of nation might arise if Maple-chan became its lord—was another matter entirely.